The 'massed ranks' preparing to engage the Persians at the Battle of Marathon. Most wear 'Greaves' on their legs to protect against missiles being thrown. The shield is not a defensive weapon, to clumsy, it's used to form a shield wall and used to push the enemy from the field.

Another Persian, notice it's a woman. I found lots of the reenactors were, although in this case we were told it was historically accurate.

A Roman Soldier. I was in Rome a few years ago but didn't photo any of soldiers there, it was a little cold and I didn't think the leggings and trainers they wore were very authentic. (Now were did I put those photos of the Colosseum?).

The 'Tortoise' a defensive shield wall.

The Parliamentarian Cavalry rides out ...

The ranks of the Royalists.

Scrum down, opposing Pike men clash. We were told that, as a percentage of population, there were more casualties in the Civil war than in WWII. The defeated side were often paroled, on a pledge not to fight again. Those breaking the pledge if captured again were summarily executed.

... I should have taken some ear defenders!

... and advance.

.. but soon raise their rifle butts to indicate surrender.

Queen Victoria inspects the troops.

WWI off to the front.

"They don't like it up 'em Mr Mainwaring"

Not all battles were conflicts of arms.

An early VolksWagon.

Taking up defensive positions ...

The Allies advance ...

... and a 'Spotter' plane. [There were a couple of Fighter displays earlier but I can't pan ...]

Ivan (the not so terrible) happy to pose, as were most reenactors.

The Queen Mum, (as she later became known), pays a visit as the beaches re-open after the war ...

The present day.